Have you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury in Salinas, California? Mercado Kramer, LLP can help when you call (888) 311-4050. We offer a free consultation with a Salinas catastrophic injury lawyer who can walk you through your legal options and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
When a devastating injury turns your world upside down, you shouldn’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Mercado Kramer, LLP, we’re here to help you hold the at-fault party accountable and pursue justice. Call our Salinas office today to schedule your free case review.
Why Should I Call Mercado Kramer, LLP for Legal Assistance After a Catastrophic Injury in Salinas?
At Mercado Kramer, LLP, we proudly represent clients in Salinas, CA, who are facing some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Our legal team is committed to supporting those with life-altering injuries by providing trusted legal guidance and personal attention.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- We bring over 18 years of experience handling complex and emotionally sensitive personal injury cases.
- Our team understands the tactics insurance companies use to minimize claims and is prepared to counter them at every step.
- We prioritize our clients’ interests above all else, providing tailored legal strategies that reflect the real impact of their injuries.
- We take the time to get to know our clients personally, so we can tell their stories accurately and fight for the full compensation they deserve.
- Our firm is known for compassionate advocacy, clear communication, and a relentless drive to achieve justice for every client we serve.
Our Salinas personal injury attorneys will work hard to understand your pain–and how it’s changed your life. Contact us today to learn more about how we can put our skills to work for you.
Our Attorneys in Salinas Handle All Types of Catastrophic Injury Claims
Any type of injury has the potential to be catastrophic. The severity of the injury–and the victim’s response to treatment–will ultimately determine the injury’s impact.
Catastrophic injuries do have one thing in common: they always have a severe, life-changing impact on the victim.
Examples of the types of injuries that are most likely to have a catastrophic impact include:
- Severe traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Chest and thoracic injuries
- Severe burns
- Complete or partial vision or hearing loss
- Complete or partial amputations
- Paralysis
- Internal organ damage
- Complex fractures and multiple broken bones
When the stakes are this high, you deserve the most experienced legal representation possible. Our lawyers are committed to helping our injured clients maximize their financial awards.
What Causes Most Catastrophic Injuries in Salinas, CA?
Any traumatic accident or violent act can leave victims struggling with catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common causes of catastrophic injuries include:
- Car accidents, including drunk driving accidents and speeding accidents
- Accidents involving large trucks and tractor-trailers
- Dangerous property conditions
- Firearm violence
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists
- Bus accidents
- Uber or Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Falls from heights
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
You deserve an attorney who has experience handling a wide range of personal injury claims. Our attorneys have nearly two decades of experience between us. Contact us for legal help today.
The Stakes Are High for Victims of Catastrophic Injuries in Salinas
Catastrophic injuries can leave victims to struggle with lifelong consequences, including:
- Cognitive disabilities
- Inability to work
- Limited mobility or loss of motor function
- Paralysis
- Permanent disfigurement
- Respiratory problems
- Cardiovascular failure
- Inability to regulate bodily functions
- Loss of fertility
Many victims of catastrophic injuries go on to live full lives. That said, your life could look much different from what it would have been without the injury. The at-fault party should be held accountable for the life changes you’ve been forced to handle.
To learn how we can help you fight to hold the responsible party accountable, call our Salinas catastrophic injury attorneys for a free consultation today.
How Much Is a Salinas Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
Catastrophic injuries are always expensive. The costs will vary from person to person. Your settlement or jury verdict must reflect the lifetime costs associated with your injury.
Factors that will drive the value of your personal injury case include:
- The nature and cost of your current medical treatment
- The types of care and assistance you will require even after reaching maximum medical improvement, and their cost
- Your age at the time of injury
- How the injury has impacted your ability to earn a living
- Your earning capacity prior to the injury
- How the injury has impacted your quality of life
- Whether you’re being blamed for the injury, and the strength of the defense’s evidence
When your injuries are this severe, it never pays to accept a standard insurance settlement. The amount you recover will have to be enough to cover your lifelong costs. Our lawyers have developed a network of respected experts who can offer informed information about the costs you’re likely to incur in the future.
We have the significant resources you’ll need to convince the insurance companies to hand over the full amount you deserve. To get a better idea about your case value, call us to schedule a free case review today.
What Types of Damages Can I Get After Sustaining a Catastrophic Injury in an Accident in Salinas?
Compensatory damages in California are generally broken down into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are awarded to offset any monetary loss associated with an accident or injury. Your economic damages award should account for both your current costs and your projected future expenses.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Current medical bills for ER visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, etc.
- Expected future medical expenses, including for follow-up care, medicines, medical devices, specialized care, etc.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Property damage
- Long-term care needs
- In-home assistance
- Increased transportation, household, and childcare costs
Your life has also changed in ways that aren’t easy to measure in dollars and cents. These personal losses are your non-economic damages.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Humiliation and embarrassment
- Loss of your ability to enjoy life
- PTSD
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Damage to relationships
Catastrophic injuries almost always have the potential to be fatal. Loss of consortium, funeral expenses, and other damages are available to survivors in a wrongful death case.
How Much Money Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer To Handle a Catastrophic Injury Case in Salinas?
The costs associated with a catastrophic injury can be overwhelming. You may already be drowning in debt or struggling to make ends meet. You shouldn’t have to worry about the cost of legal representation.
Like most personal injury law firms, Mercado Kramer, LLP operates on a contingency fee basis. You won’t owe us anything upfront. You only pay attorneys’ fees when we’ve won compensation in your case. When we do, we deduct a percentage to cover our attorneys’ fees and costs.
How Will California’s Shared Fault Laws Impact My Right To Recover Damages if I Share Some Blame for a Catastrophic Injury?
Under the pure comparative negligence law in California, your compensation will be reduced to the extent you share any blame for your injuries. You won’t lose your right to damages completely. For that to happen, you’d have to be entirely responsible for your injuries.
That said, the more fault you share, the less money you can recover for your injuries. That can make a huge difference when your injuries are this serious. If someone is blaming you for causing your own injuries, contact our lawyers today.
We anticipate these tactics and have the tools to protect you.
How Do I Prove I’m Entitled to Compensation After Sustaining a Catastrophic Injury in California?
Regardless of the severity of the injuries, victims have the burden of proof in personal injury cases. Most catastrophic injury victims are hurt because of another party’s negligent behavior.
To prove negligence, you must establish four elements:
- Duty of care. All people have a duty to exercise a reasonable amount of caution under the circumstances.
- Breach of duty. The at-fault party breached its duty of care by failing to use a reasonable amount of caution.
- Causation. That breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of your injury–meaning that you wouldn’t have suffered the injury “but for” that breach.
- Damages. You’ve suffered losses due to the injury, including physical, mental, and financial losses.
The nature of the evidence that you’ll need to establish these elements can vary from case to case. When you hire us, we’ll conduct our own investigation to uncover any available evidence.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After Suffering a Catastrophic Injury in California?
Most personal injury victims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations in California. If you fail to take legal action within two years of the injury, you lose your right to damages entirely.
Contact an Experienced Salinas Catastrophic Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Someone else caused your injuries. They should be held accountable to the fullest extent possible. Our team at Mercado Kramer, LLP is here to fight for you if you’re facing a catastrophic injury in Salinas, California.
Call us today to learn how an experienced Salinas catastrophic injury lawyer can help you get the money you need and deserve.
